7/10

Take the distinctive American sound of The Hold Steady, add the irreverence of British Sea Power, and throw in some Alex Turner-esque story-telling and you've got a rough idea of what to expect from The Districts. These four young men, hailing from Pennsylvania, have become one of the most loved underground artists in the States over the last few years, but it seems like this latest release is beginning to earn them international acclaim and from the start, it is throughly clear why.

Once you really get a handle on what 'A Flourish And A Spoil' is, you begin to realise that these guys sound like every great band from about ten years ago. Not to say they sound dated, but instead have managed to revive the indie-rock sound from its current pretentious home and make it fun again. The album itself is a fairly focused affair, where the band have tried not to stray too far from their chosen style, giving the record a very even feel that keeps it flowing forward without too much distance.

It is certainly an enjoyable collection of tracks and the band themselves seem confident in their own ability to create thoughtful and engaging music. If only their sound was popular today, we would be looking at one of the best new bands around.